Experience report
E-mail:
Study Program:
Exchange semester:
Academic year:
Host University:
Country:
a.leuvering@live.nl
Organisation Studies
Spring 2015
Master
Cologne Business School
Germany
I General information about the school/surroundings
For the past five months I lived in Cologne, Germany. The city itself is quite vivid, as during
the day time and night time. As a proper student, I of course explored this city by day and
night. I’m happy to conclude that Cologne people live less up to the typical German
stereotype about ‘being stiff and formal’ towards each other. In my eyes, still, this stereotype
could clearly be noticed. However, as I was also told by my German fellow students: Cologne
people are known for being more loosened up than the average German.
As for the German food, I can say it definitely meets the Dutch standard: going out for
dinner is affordable and you’ll get a lot on your plate (however, do not ask for vegetables ). I
didn’t go out for dinner that much, however I could definitely recommend the following place:
Früh brewery. It’s typical German food, since they mainly serve meat and potatoes, however
the quality is good.
For the past five months I attended Cologne Business School (CBS), which is located
South from the city centre. As a student attending at Tilburg University, I was used to seeing
many students each day and taking lectures in halls which provide room for a couple of
hundred students at the same time. CBS is the total opposite. It’s a privately owned school
with about 1200 students –in total- attending it. The school is located in a nice area: close to
a park, tram station, and places to get food.
II Practical information
I received the necessary information before departure in time. I did not encounter any
problems with this. CBS organized an introduction week for the new international students.
However, this week was ill-organized. In the time table, there were repeatable time gaps of
two or more hours in which we had nothing to do except waiting for the next activity. This all
could have been organized in three days in my opinion.
Before departure, I could indicate whether I wanted a so called study buddy. Of
course I wanted one, and e-mailed with him before I left. However, at the day we all could
meet our buddies, he didn’t show up and never heard anything ever since. Luckily for me, I
just made a new study buddy the same day, which actually became a close friend during the
semester.
Housing
I stayed at the students dormitory, owned and offered by CBS. It housed approximately 30
students. As I arrived, I met with the contact person at the house, who gave me the keys and
further instructions. I lived on the fourth floor, which meant walking eight stairs up and down
every day. There was a cleaning lady every two days, which was quite necessary. The
bathrooms were really clean, however the kitchen with its dishes was our own responsibility
so you can imagine how that looked like with 30 students in the building. Overall, I was
satisfied. However, some things cannot be left unnoticed. For example, washing machines
got broken frequently. At the end of the semester, we had just one washing machine for 30
people for two months. Also, the stove broke down a couple of times.
Living costs
My living expenses far exceeded my expenses back in Tilburg. This did not surprise me at
all, because I wanted to make the most out of this period. I went of several weekend trips in
Germany to explore the country and naturally, have fun. I also was actively involved with my
new friends and met with them frequently. I spent most money on food, going out, activities
with friends and field trips. Also, the housing was very expensive, which is the main reason
for the expenses.
Housing:
Food:
Transport
Books:
Miscellaneous:
490
80
0 (we paid for a public transport card with which we could travel for free
in the city and the entire state).
0 (because I did not buy any)
100
Academic calendar
Arrival date:
January 16th
Introduction week:
January 19th
First day of college: January 26th
Last day of college:
May 8th
Mid-term break:
April 6th – April 12th
Examination period: May 18th – May 29th
Special events:
Carnival. We got a week off so we could celebrate.
The International office
CBS has an international office. I have to say that they were not approachable for the
international students. E-mails are hardly or not responded to once you get there.
Exchange promotion
I have not been involved in any activities that promote exchange to Tilburg University, other
than talking to other students how things are done at my university. I had nor the time nor the
means to promote Tilburg University in a professional way.
Social Activities
CBS has its own Corporate Identity Team, which focused on organizing activities for the
international students. They planned field trips, bbq’s, a game day etc. I would say it was fun
to participate (participation was voluntary) and made sure to have some real fun. I also had
contact with local students, but that was due to my own motivation to make friends. Except
for the study buddy, there is no special activity organized to get in touch with local students.
As for other international students: I lived with 30 other internationals, so I obviously was in
touch with many of them. As for my spare time, I travelled quite some cities during my time in
Cologne. For example, I went to Munich, Berlin, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Bonn and Monschau.
Culture and Language
I did not expect any culture shock on my exchange, since Germany is a neighbour country
and the cultures do not differ that much. Compared to my own culture, I would describe it as
uncertainty avoiding and formal. A positive aspect is that you know what you are getting into,
since Germans present their selves the way they are (yes, I’m generalizing now). I learned
about my own culture that the Dutch are quite open-minded and very direct, of which the
latter might come across as rude to people from other cultures.
I did not experience any language problems, since everyone could speak English. I
did not take any language courses as I did not find it necessary. When I travelled to other
German cities, I did notice a difference. For instance, in Berlin people are really individualistic
and try to create their own style.
Personal Development
This exchange period definitely affected me in a positive way from a cultural and social point
of view. I met people from all over the world during my exchange, which made me
experience how other people look at the world, ways of studying and politics in their home
country. It is a matter of opening yourself up to people that live their lives in a different way
and accepting the fact that not everybody does things the same way as you do.
I think this experience will definitely benefit me in the future when searching for a first
job. I shows I am able to take care of myself in a new environment and that I am able to
socialize. I will never forget that week we celebrated carnival. Of course I have celebrated
carnival in The Netherlands before, but the Cologne version is bigger and better. I cannot
describe the fun I had with my new friends during this week.
III ACADEMIC INFORMATION
Academic level at a host university
The courses were taught in English, so I did not take any courses in German. I took the
following courses:
-
Innovation and Change
-
Social and Cultural Anthropology
-
Special issues in HRM
-
Special issues in Globalization
-
Organizational planning and development
-
Sustainable supply chain management
-
Knowledge management and transfer
-
Diversity Management
I chose these courses because they fitted best to my master in Organisation Studies. When I
compare the academic level of CBS to Tilburg University, I have to conclude that the level is
much lower than I was used to. Lectures do not elaborate on the PowerPoints and we did not
have to read academic papers, except when we had to write our papers of course. Also, the
work load was not that heavy. The relation between teachers and students is quite formal,
however they are ready to help you out when you have troubles.
The teaching style is a combination of theory and practice. I don’t think this is
surprising, as CBS is a business school and I experienced this as a level between academic
and our ‘HBO’ schools. Some lecturers preferred case studies, others group work. In the
end, I’m satisfied with my achievement. But compared to what I have done for Tilburg
University, it feels like a lot less.
Exams
At the end of the semester, I had to sit three written exams. Other courses were graded by
an end presentation, writing academic papers or a group course work.
Course
Innovation and Change
Prerequisites
None
Exam
Individual
and group
presentation
ECTS
3
None
Social and Cultural
Anthropology
Special issues in HRM
None
Special issues in
None
Globalization
Organizational planning
None
and development
Sustainable supply
None
chain management
Knowledge management None
and transfer
Diversity Management
None
Written
3
Written
Paper
3
3
Paper
3
Paper
3
Written
3
Group course work
3
Tips for the future students:
I would advise future students to go abroad if they have the opportunity. This will be, for most
students, your only semester abroad and you should take advantage of the opportunity. This
is a fantastic experience. Unfortunately it costs money to do fun activities. However, you will
regret it if you won’t do it.